Latest KFF Health News Stories
A weekly round-up of stories related to pharmaceutical development and pricing.
California Air Quality: Mapping The Progress
The Trump administration has revoked California’s unique authority to set its own standards for vehicle tailpipe emissions, a move the state is fighting in court. A historical analysis of air quality data shows that the state’s strict standards have made a difference for counties across California.
As States With Legal Weed Embrace Vaping Bans, Black-Market Risks Linger
Many cases of vaping-related injury seem to involve THC, health officials say. That’s led some states to take another look at the safety of the regulated cannabis market, as well as the black market.
Analysis: Elizabeth Warren Throws Down The Gauntlet
She has led the way, but all the candidates need to come clean about their health care proposals.
For Young People With Psychosis, Early Intervention Is Crucial
California budget provides $20 million to expand early psychosis treatment around the state.
Aumento récord de casos de enfermedad del Legionario
Jacuzzis, hoteles y hospitales en todo el país siguen siendo focos de esta enfermedad potencialmente letal, que las personas contraen luego de inhalar vapor o gotas de agua contaminadas.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care ideas and others.
Media outlets report on news from Indiana, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan, New Hampshire, Utah, Illinois, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, Louisiana, Connecticut, Texas, Virginia and Florida.
Despite Increased Concern Over Mass Shootings, NRA Foundation Still Holds Gun Auctions In Schools
The events, including the ones held in schools, pulled in about $33 million last year. But opposition to the events is starting to increase in the face of more mass shootings.
Research suggests the woman had a mutation that protected her from Alzheimer’s. Could the woman’s case teach scientists about ways to prevent the disease? Meanwhile, an Alzheimer’s drug derived from seaweed gets approval in China.
A Grocery Store Exodus Is Turning Rural Towns Into Food Deserts, But Some Are Fighting Back
Residents of small, rural towns where it can be challenging to get food are opening community-run markets as a way of combating the problem. In other public health news: IVF, anxiety, suicide, cyberharassment, the “war on drugs,” cancer, and more.
Pre-Term Birth Rates Worsen For Fourth Year In A Row, With Deep South Faring The Worst By Far
Fifteen states and Puerto Rico were given either a D or an F on the March of Dimes’ annual report card on premature births. Only Oregon nabbed an A grade.
Prescription Drug Costs A Main Culprit In Medicare Beneficiaries’ Financial Hardships, Report Finds
More than half of seriously ill Medicare beneficiaries struggle with medical costs, a report finds. The research surprised experts since Medicare is considered to offer relatively good coverage and most people have supplemental insurance to fill its gaps.
Overturning the Affordable Care Act would eliminate several taxes created to help pay for the law’s expansion, including a 0.9% Medicare tax on single Americans who earn more than $200,000 a year or couples who make $250,000. A court decision is expected soon on the constitutionality of the law.
‘Not Watertight’: Stricter Vaccine Law In California Will Have Limited Impact By 2027, Study Says
Researchers project that under the law — which bars parents from citing personal beliefs as a reason for not vaccinating children — 1.87% of children will remain unvaccinated compared to 2.36% without the law. Meanwhile, across the country there is an increase among parents citing religious objections to vaccinations.
Hospitals, Doctors Relying On Rationing Amid Severe Shortage Of Lifesaving Immune Globulin
Manufacturers say the current shortage is among the worst they have experienced since the popular, wide-ranging treatment came to market. In other pharmaceutical news: Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) touts value-based payments for cutting drug costs; a new approach to gene therapy offers tentative hope; a controversy arises over a pre-term birth medication; and more.
Why Can’t Health Officials Figure Out The Mysterious Vaping Illness?
Despite hundreds of cases, health officials are still stumped. Meanwhile players in the industry have opinions on what to do to curb e-cigarette use and addiction in young people. And issues related to vaping or tobacco are reflected on the 2019 ballots in California and Massachusetts, as well.
Abortion Fight Front And Center On Election Day In Kentucky, Virginia
The gubernatorial and legislative elections in these states could hinge on the debate over abortion as the country’s attention is increasingly focused on the issue. Other news on abortion comes out of New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, California and Florida.
The plan from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) includes work or volunteer requirements despite troubles other states are experiencing with such measures. Supporters of a full Medicaid expansion under the health law estimated it could cover about 500,000 Georgia residents, while the governor’s office envisions this limited expansion will cover around 52,000 people in its fifth year.
Warren’s Numbers Do Add Up, But They Rely On Everything Going Perfectly To Plan
The Washington Post Fact Checker takes a deep dive into the “Medicare for All” cost analysis offered by experts and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). Critics continue to focus on the assumptions — such as getting hospitals accepting near-Medicare rates from all patients — that the proposal relies on. If those fall apart, so does the plan.